Xbox Live Gold subscription requirement to be lifted for Hulu, Netflix – rumour

Netflix and Hulu may soon be available via Xbox Live to all users – even if they don’t have an Xbox Live Gold subscription.

Ars Technica cites “multiple sources within Microsoft” for the rumour, claiming that the Xbox Live Gold paywall will be removed for streaming media apps on both Xbox 360 and Xbox One.

The site has been told that other Xbox Live services may be added to the Gold offering to balance the change, but could not confirm whether this refers to existing services or upcoming content like Microsoft’s original programming.

The decision to make the change is not yet finalised, apparently, and Microsoft is expected to make an announcement about the change at its June 9 E3 2014 briefing should it decide to follow through.

Microsoft has not commented on the matter.

The Xbox Live Gold paywall is a bit of a sore issue as Hulu, Netflix and cable channels already require a subscription, meaning users have to cough up twice. The PlayStation Network and Nintendo Network do not charge a subscription fee to access similar offerings.